Bible Verse for Today

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day...
— 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...I am so thankful for Paul's confidence as he faces his death. He is all but abandoned and is worried about the future of the Church, but he knows two things: he has served the Lord faithfully and the Lord will receive him when he...

 

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.
— Acts 17:4 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Women have always played an important role in the work of God. This was especially true in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) in the first century. In each of these places, many of the leading women of the community were touched by the Gospel. We know they played important roles in supporting the...

 

Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
— Titus 2:3 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."Teach ... to teach!" We need faithful women in God's family to help show us the way to reverence God in our daily lives and to live with character. That means we need to teach these women they need to teach. We need to pray for them to step forward and be mentors. We must openly respect their reverent...

 

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
— Titus 2:2 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse..."Teach older men?" "Learn from younger folks?" Buried in this verse is a profound understanding and respect that transcends generations. For some of us who share our local churches with five generations of people for the first time in human history, Paul's challenging words mean even more to us today. Those who are younger...

 

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.
— Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...The only thing we get by spending our time looking in the rear view mirror is a big disaster in our front windshield! Our best days as Christians are always ahead. Jesus has promised to return and take us home to God -- what better future could there be! So let's not get distracted with nostalgic cynicism. We can thank God for his past...

 

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
— 1 Timothy 4:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Life seems so busy, so full of distractions and "to do" lists. Let's not let our "busyness" keep us from our Father's "business." Let's find the ways God has gifted us to serve him and his people; then let's dedicate ourselves to that with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

My Prayer...Gracious God, you have...

 

Be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
— 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...The word "submissive" is often positive or negative based on its relationship to us personally. It's nice having someone serve us submissively, but serving someone else submissively is hard work. Unfortunately, we are selfish way too much of the time. But God is at work in...

 

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
— Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Even the most pumped up and positive ones of us find ourselves broken and weary at some point in our life. It isn't so hard to believe and follow Jesus when we are soaring on the wings of eagles or running and not getting weary in our walk with God. Often the toughest time to keep our faith vibrant is when we are trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other...

 

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them."
— Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...When we are young and have so many things to do, many things can distract us from what is important. We must let the Lord gather our passions under his grace in those early days of excitement and frenetic joy so we can be used for God's greater good. For most of us, age brings a...

 

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
— Psalm 71:9 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We live in an age where those who are older are often shoved aside. This is true in the professional world with employees. This is also true in churches which often find themselves pandering to those who are younger or more financially powerful, while forgetting the aging and powerless. Let's remember that God cares what happens to each one of us, no matter...